Insane Clown Posse sues feds over gang label

[flowers]

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/insane-clown-posse-sues-feds-over-gang-label

DETROIT (AP) — The Insane Clown Posse sued the U.S. Justice Department on Wednesday over a 2011 FBI report that describes the rap-metal duo's devoted fans, the Juggalos, as a dangerous gang, saying the designation has tarnished reputations and hurt business.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit in Detroit federal court on behalf of the group's two members, Joseph Bruce, or Violent J, and Joseph Utsler, or Shaggy 2 Dope. It also names four fans as plaintiffs.

The FBI report on criminal gangs labeled the Juggalos as a "loosely organized hybrid gang." It said those who identify as Juggalos have committed assaults and vandalism, and a "small number" of them have engaged in more serious crimes.

The lawsuit contends that the gang designation violates free speech and due process rights.

"It is a quintessential civil liberties case challenging government abuse," said Michael Steinberg, the legal director of ACLU Michigan.

At a news conference in Detroit, Bruce, 41, and Utsler, 39, wore their trademark face paint. The Detroit-area pair said Juggalos are like a family, not a gang, and they want their fans purged from the report.

"Our merchandise sales are just about cut in half. ... You don't see the stickers in the back windows anymore because everyone's afraid to wave the flag in their car," Bruce said. "They're afraid they're going to get pulled over and harassed."

For those of you who don't know Insane Clown Posse is a band.

[ABX]

Juggalos a gang? LOL

[EC]

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/insane-clown-posse-sues-feds-over-gang-label

For those of you who don't know Insane Clown Posse is a band.

You are far more charitable than me.

[mountaineer]

If Violent J doesn't want to be lumped in with violent gangs, perhaps he should consider changing his moniker.

[flowers]

You are far more charitable than me.

I didn't say they were good. Just a band.   

[NavyCanDo]

Juggalos a gang? LOL

Not as funny as "Wicked Bunnies"   one of the many Hispanic gangs in my Western WA county.

[jmyrlefuller]

Juggalo is a reference for the jugular vein, a preferred target of attack.

The Juggalos themselves are not violent people but they like to talk a violent game. They're posers, really.